Air heating apparatus



w.s.soM ERsl 2,190,997 "A13 HEATINQAPARATS 9 Fen zo, 1940.

Filed JuneZZ, 1937 3 SheetsSheetl 3mm WZZiam J'omers Feu' zo, l1940.

w. s. som-:Rs

AIR HEATING APPARATUS `FiledJune 22, 193'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 20, 1940. w. `s. soMERs 2,190,997

AIR HEATING APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1937 `3 `SheLs-Sheec 5 ,v lag. 7.

Aforney.

Patented Feb. 20, 1940 TAIR, HEATING APPARATUS A William S. Somers, Columbus, Ohio Application June 22, 1937, Serial No. 149,609

l 7 claims. (cl. 12s- 114) `This invention relates to improvements in air n l heating systems, particularly systems of the `forced circulation type,` such as those employed for the heating of residences and other buildl ings. y

In warm air heating and conditioning systems,

considerable diiiiculty is often-encountered in the `installation of ducts employed in conveying air n to and from the `air heater or conditioner to difl ferent rooms of a residence or building. This is often due to the placing of the furnace oi' other air conditioner in'the corners or near the walls of a furnace room or in other relatively inac- `cessible locations or to the 'architectural ieau tures of the building itself. In most instances, it is desirable to place the furnace casing in such position that it will not occupy a prominent position in a residence basement or furnace room. Again, many furnace casings are so constructed u that the ducts for conveying heated air to the building rooms areconnected with the top of the furnace'casing, while the cold air or return ducts enter such furnace casings near the bottom portions thereof. These conditions, amongothers.

26 militate against facility, simplicity and economy in the installation of air heating or conditioning systems wherein associated duct work is used, rendering'such systems costly and diillcult to install and frequently acting asa hindrance in ob- !0 taining lthermal efficiencies. n 'I'he present invention aims to alleviate these conditions to 'a very substantial degree and, accordingly, utilizes a warm air furnace casing divided internally into an outer return air cham- `85 `ber and an inner heated air chamber. I'hese l chambers are so disposed that both the return t "air and the outgoing heated air enter and leave the furnace casing by way of a plenum housing "of novel design formed with the top of the fur- 0 nace casing. housing is constructed to lnclude warm air and return air compartments disposedY preferably in the same horizantal plane, thefsaid compartmentsbeing spaced from each other and communicate respectively with the re- 46 "turn air and warm air chambers of `theiurnace casing. Air conveying ducts enter the housing through the` outer side wallsonly thereof and are" disposed in open `communication with the "housing "compartments, the construction of the 50` furnace" cashing and housing beingsuch as to enable thelducts to occupyithe most advantageous l operating positions, avoiding crossing or nter-` sectin'g `duct work andlnaking for adequate head `roorrl or clearance in furnace `rooms `of ordinary e wat A An` object 4of the invention resides in providing aheater of the type underconsideration with an adjustable plenum housing on the top of uthe furnace casing to which the warm air supply and return air ducts are connected,` the said plenum 5 housing being provided with a pair of spaced compartments, oneof said compartments being connected with the warm air supply ducts and in opencommunication with the inner air heatingchamber of the furnace, while the other oi' 1i) said compartments is connected with the return air ducts and is in open communication with the outer chamber of the furnace casing, the said plenum housing serving to provide for distribution of air to the furnace chambers and for con- 1`5` `venienceand orderliness in placing therelated ductsin their most advantageous operating positions. t I

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved heating systeminvolvy ing a casing construction which will be more `economical to manufacture and install than analogous prior types of `caslngs, willrequire less floor space for comparable heating capacities, and will enable theheat developed by the operation of the system to beutilized with greater effectiveness.` l n Fora further and more detailed understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description andthe several forms of the present invention selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings.

t In said drawings:`

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofthe exterior of a furnace casing and the plenum housing used in connectionv with the heating system comprising the present invention;

Fig; 2 is a vertical sectional l view` taken through the casing and `disclosing more `particu l larlyits internal construction; l v4() Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken through the casing on the plane disclosed by the line III-III of Fig. 2; n l

Figgfi is a similar view taken through the plenum housing on the plane indicated by the 45 line IV-IV of'Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view lshowing a modified type of `plenum housing in which the warm air outlets are disposed in a plane above the return air inlets; 50 `Fig. 6` is va view similar to Fig.f5 disclosing 1 another `variation of the plenum construction wherein the warm air outlets are arranged below the plane of the return air inlet or inlets;`

n Figs. 7 t and 8 are horizontal sectional views 55 taken respectively on line VII- VII and f mally covered by an access door I4.

'ing is preferred because acter indicated at I0.

omy in its manufacture. casing may rest on a base plate floor or other similar support. The spacing of the casings I and 2 provides therebetween an annular cold air outer chamber 4, while within the casing 2, the latter provides an inner warm air heating chamber 5. A

At one side, the outer casing I is formed to iinclude an enlargement 6 within which there is arranged a fan orv blower 'I driven by an elec- Ytric motor 8, the fan or .blower being so disposed 'asfto draw air from the outer chamber 4 and -deliver the same under positive pressure for forced flow upwardly through the inner heating vchamber 5. Arranged within the enlargement 6 1 of the outer casing is a filter 9 of either the porous or spray type, by which fine solid particles -are removed `from the air drawn into the furnace casingprior to the ypassage thereof through the fan or blower. VIt will be noted that the filter herein specifically-shown, in lieu of being placed horizontally, as is customary, is arranged at an acute angle to the vertical, to render as small 'as possible the floor dimensions of the Vlateral casing enlargement 6 and yet Vto provide a filter having the required number ofsquare feet of surface area to obtain full and efficient operation.' One or more of the sides of the enlargementi may be provided with a door affording -convenientaccess to the'fan or blower and the filter arranged above the same.

Within theinner chamber 5, there is arranged any suitable type of heating element of the charthis element comprises a vertical drum II preferably composed of riveted and welded boiler plate material. Any of the standard types of fuel may Ybe burned in the bottom of the heating element,

and to this end the drum is provided at its lower end with a horizontally extending branch I2 preferably adapted for the reception of an automatic oil, `coal or gas burner of any conventional design. Above the branch I2, the drum is connected with a corresponding horizontally extending boxing I3, the open forward end of which is nor- The circumference of the outer casing is such that the heating element extensions I2 and I3 are enclosed by the outer casing, as shown more particularly in Fig'. 3, and the said extensions I2 andV I3 are readily accessible by means of a hinged door i5, forming a symmetrical part of the outer wall construction of the casing I.

`In'the operation of the fan or blower, air is drawn generally downwardly through the outer chamber 4 as a result of negative or minus pres-l sures yestablishedwithin therchamber ,4 by the operation of the fan or blower. This fact permits of economical construction on the part of the -outer casing since `by this method .of air flow, it

is not necessary as in previous designs to produce an air-tight, insulated, rigidlyv constructed', welded casing. VAny air that might seep through the joints of the casing i from the atmosphere isl In the form illllstrated, pressures through the inner chamber 5. The inmerely introduced into the air undergoing heating, filtration or circulation in the entire heating system and does not in any way detrimentally affect the operation of the latter. Also the relatively cool air passing through the chamber 4 5 keepsthe walls ofthe casing I comparatively cool so that enamel or other decorative finishes applied to the outer surface of the casing I will not be injured by the internal heat of the furnace; the construction ,minimizing heatlosses to the atmosphere and eliminating the necessity for employing insulated walls.

The return air introduced into the outer chamber passes through the fllter 9 where foreign particles composed of small solids are removed 15 and the filtered air delivered to the suction side of the fan or blower, the air being filtered after passing through the outer chamber and over exposed heating surfaces therein. The fan then operates toforce the air under pressure into the inner chamber 5 causing its positive movement through that chamber. During the passage of the filtered air through the inner chamber, the air contacts with the heated surfaces of the heating element I0 or hasthe temperature thereof raised by heat 25 radiated or otherwise delivered from the outer surfaces vof the element III. The surface area of the heating element is increased as usual by connecting the upper end of the drum II with a hollow secondary heating section I6, whicnis ydisposed in theback of the chamber 5 and has the bottom thereof connected with a stack or iiue outlet.

The heated gases of combustion, developed by the burning of fuel in the lower part of the drum I I, pass upwardly through said drum, heating the steel plate walls of the latter. The gases are then passed through a horizontal extension at the top of the drum and are vdirected downwardly through the secondary heating section I6 and thence to a stack or chimney outlet. The heating element thus provides sufficient heat releasing surface to impart the required temperature to the air passing upwardlyrunder positivel 45 ner casing! may also be of economical construction since` the escape of heated air through any joints that may exist therein merely results in the introduction of the escaped air into the outer chamber 4 and its recirculation through the fan or blower.

In prior types of furnaces, air seeping through the casing of the furnace is delivered to the atmosphere of the furnace room and its heating effect lost. This is oneof the lreasons for the 5! heavy, expensiveand air-tight cabinet construction in prior types of furnaces.

An important feature lof the present invention resides in Vproviding the top of the furnace with an improved plenum housing I1 which is adc1 instable, insofar as its voperating positions areconcerned, for simplifying the arrangement of air conveying ducts, in adapting the furnace to the physical limitations of furnace rooms [of varying design and effecting desired fiowof air Y6l into or from thefurnace chambers.

The plenum housing comprises inner and outer` i sections, preferably of sheetrmetal walls or walls t of composition vrnatterials having sound absorbing propertieawhichare .formed tov produce sub- 7 stantially L-shaped return air compartment I8 and a substantially square plenum compartment I9. The compartment I9 is formed with anVv L- shaped bottom 20,'forming a rectangular open`VV ing I in the bottom of the plenum compartment 7 which is in open communication with the top of the inner air heating chamber '5, sojtha'tthe heated air arising from the chamber 5 readily enters the compartment I9 and may then be distributed tothe various rooms of a house or building `by way of ducts22 which extend from two sides of the housing. The return air compartment I8 is provided with an open bottom, the open areav of which `may be varied as desired so that it is in direct` communication with the outer chamber l` so'that the cool return air of the heating system may enter the compartmentl through one or more ducts 23 and then be delivered to the chamber 4 to obtain uniform or required flow therethrough.

The inner and outer sections of 'the plenum` housing preferably include frusta-conical skirts, as indicated at 24, which terminate in vertical annular anges 25, the latter being received within correspondingly formed grooves provided in the upper edges of the casings I and 2. This construction enables the plenum housing to be disclosed in the drawings, such conditions can be `most succesfully met by adjusting the operating position of the plenum housing on the casing so that but minimum interference will exist in the extension of the ducts to vertical risers or other leadersand ample area provided for duct` attachment. l

In the plenum housing disclosed in Figs. 1`, 2

and 4, Vthe ducts 22 and 23 are arranged subst'antially in the same horizontal plane. `This arrangement, however, may be varied as disclosed in Fig. 5, when the compartment I9a of the plenum housing is arranged in a plane above i the compartment I8a for the return air. thus l enabling the warm air ducts 22a to be disposed in a horizontal plane above that of the return ducts 23a. The reverse of thisarrangement is disclosed in Fig. 6, wherein the plenum compartment ISb is arranged in a horizontal plane below that of the return air compartment |8b, with the result that the return air duct or ducts 23h are arranged in a horizontal plane above that of thel warm air `ducts 22h. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other variations maybe provided in the matter of drawing air into and expelling the same from `the plenum housing. While the plenum housing has been shown as substantially` rectangular when viewed in plan, it is of course Within the scope of the invention to make the same cylindrical, or substantially so, if such construction should be desired.

, In view of the foregoing, it will be "seen that the present invention provides aheating system so constructed that no outward pressure obtains on the outer wallsof the enclosure, thereby avoid` ing pressure leaks and heat losses. The outer chamber of the` casing, through which the `return airpasses, absorbs` heat from the walls of the inner casing, thus reducing the usual heat losses V oi such controls and accessories. filter permits of the exposure ofy ample filter area terioration of such coating materials avoided as a result of furnace heat.

Againno insulation is required, as in previous types of cabinets, to maintain low casing or cabinet temperatures since heat obtained from the walls of the inner casing is efficiently transferred to the return air causing the latter' to be preheated Vand therebyeilciently used in the urnace.

, 'I'he construction readily permits of the use oi' high` heating unit temperatures, enabling `heat resisting alloys to be used advantageously in the wallsV of the heating element and at the same time to obtain compactness in design for a given `thermal output. The construction is conveniently adaptable to the installation of autcmaticcom trols and accessories inthe outer casing and, dus to lower temperature, insuresl better functioning The inclined `to the alrstream and yet compactness inl design obtained. The system is adaptable to all existing types of combustion devices without necessitating any change in their construction. By its simplicity of design, the casing set forth insures tow cost units which perform even more eiiectually and eiciently than comparablecapacity furnaces of present day manufacture. i The blower unit may be formed as a part ofthe casing, as dis closed, or may be a separate unit.

The plenum housing provides adjustable lwarm and cold air chambersto which all ducts can be connected atceilingheight. The adjustabilityy `in-.position of the chambers provides for simplifying .duct connections, due to the fact that crossing ducts` may be eliminated; Yalso the points` of connection for either warm or cold air ducts `may bev readily varied to meet actual installa-` tion conditions. By combining the warm air and' cold air plenum. chambers in one housing, ternperature losses `frointhe walls of the warm air i A,chamber are eliminated bythe absorption of heat by air passing through the return air chamber,y

Due to this heat transfer through the juxtaposition of the plenum chambers, the Walls of the plenum housing are maintained at low tempera- `tures so that low cost finishes may be applied to exterior surfaces. What is claimed is: l 1. In an air heater, a casing divided internally into inner and outer` chambers communicating at their lower ends, a second casing supported on the upper end of said first casing, a vertical partition wall joining the side Walls of said second casing and dividing said second casing into inlet andoutlet compartments, one of said compartments communicating with the inner chamber and the other compartment communicating with the outer chamber of said first casing, air inlet and outlet openings communicating through the side walls of the second casing with the respective inlet and outlet compartments, said second casing being adjustable on said first casing whereby to position said openings.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 in which the second casing is quadrangular prisinatic in in horizontal cross-section.

3. In an air heater, a casing divided internally into inner and outer chambers communicating at their lower ends, a second casing supported on the upper end of said first casing, and a vertical partition wall joining the side walls of said second `with various types of coating materials and de `shape and the vertical partition wall is L-shaped i u casing and dividing said second casing into inlet and outlet compartments, one of said compartments communicating with the inner chamber and the other compartment communicating with the outer chamber of said iirst casing, air inlet and outlet openings communicating through the i side walls of the second casing with the respective inlet and outlet compartments.

A 4. In an air heater of the type having a casing divided internally into inner and'outer chambers communicating only at their lower ends, a second casing -provided at the upper end of the first "casing, said second casing being separable from and adjustable with respect to said first casing,

'the side walls of the second casingv having porv tioiisinwardly offset with respect to the side-walls fj the rst casing, and partition means dividing said second casing into a pair of adjoining compartments, one of said compartments communieating with the inner chamber of said rst casing and the other compartment communicating with the outer chamber, each compartment having an exterior wall formed by a portion of the Vwalls of said second casing, an exterior wall of leach compartment having an opening through which communication between the 'compartments and air conductors is established;

5. In an air heate'r of the type having a casing divided internally into inner and outer chambers communicating only at their lower ends, a second casing having vertical side walls provided at the upper endof the first casing, the side walls of the second casing having portions inwardly oiset with respect to the side walls of the first casing,

'saidr second casing. being separable from and adjustable` with respect to'said--iirst casing, and a vvertical partition wall dividing said second casing into apalrof adjoining compartments, one of said compartmentscommunicating with the inner'chamber of said rst casing andthe other compartment communicating with the outer chamber, each'compartment having an exterior wall formed by a portion ,ofV thewalls of said second casing, an exterior ,wall of each compartment havingan 4opening through which com-` munication between the compartments and air conductors is established. l l

6; In anair heater of the type having a casing divided internally into inner and outer chambers communicating only attheir lower ends, a second casing provided at the upper end' of the first casing, said second casing being separable from and adjustable with respectto said rst casing, the side walls of vthe second casing having portions inwardly oiset with respect to the side Walls of ing through which communication between the compartment and an air conductor is established.

7. In an air heater of the type having a. casing divided internally into inner and outer chambers communicating only. at their lower ends, a second casing provided at the upper end of the first casing, said second casing being separable from and adjustable with respect fto said first casing, the side walls of the second casing having portions inwardly offset with respect tothe side Walls of the first casing, and angularly relatedv vertically disposed partition walls dividing said second casing into a pair of adjoining compartments, one of said compartments communicating with the inner chamber of said first casing and the other compartment communicating with the outer chamber, each compartment having an exterior Wall formed by a portion ofthe Walls of said second casing, an exterior wall of each compartment having an opening through which communication between the compartment and an air conductor is established.

WILLIAM s. VSOMERS. 

